34 MARCH 2025 • WORLD AQUACULTURE • WWW.WAS.ORG FIGURE 1. The laver fronds grow in a land-based farming facility (Indoor tank). Photo provided by Goheung-gun County. K-Gim (Korean Laver) is creating a global sensation, and major companies are competing to cultivate it on land (indoors) instead of in the sea. Companies that have entered land-based laver farming include large companies such as CJ CheilJedang, Dongwon F&B, Daesang Corporation, and mid-sized food companies such as Pulmuone. Why are companies that put profit maximization as their top priority so interested in land-based laver farming? The biggest reason is that the stable supply of raw materials (fresh laver) is disrupted due to recent climate change-induced difficulties in sea laver farming. As the seawater temperature rises, the problem of shortening the cultivation and harvest period occurs. On the other hand, domestic laver (K-Gim) is gaining popularity worldwide due to the spread of K-Culture and K-Food. In the United States and other countries, ‘frozen gimbap’ has a long shelf life and has become so popular that it sells out. From Black Laver Sheets to Export-Leading Seafood Korea has completely absorbed the laver market, which Japan previously dominated. It now accounts for more than 70% of the global laver market. In addition, K-Gim (Korean laver) exports have increased significantly from USD 110 million in 2010 to USD 790 million in 2023, and the number of exporting countries has increased from 64 in 2010 to 124 in 2023. Globally, the demand for Gim (laver, Pyropia sp.) is increasing rapidly. The global laver trade volume increased from USD 440 billion in 2014 to USD 1.08 trillion in 2023, with an annual average growth rate of 10.5%. Last year, the price of laver for domestic consumption soared due to a surge in exports. In comparison, the total production of laver (fresh laver) in Korea remains at 500 to 600 thousand tons, and it is necessary to stabilize prices by increasing supply. “Both the market size and the number of seaweed export countries have risen to the top in a short period, and laver (Gim) is at the top among seaweeds,” said Professor Lim Han-Kyu of Mokpo National University. “It is natural for companies to be interested in it,” he analyzed. Mr. Choi Byeong-Rak, the head of the Korea Gim Exporters Association, said, “When large companies are struggling to secure raw materials, they have no choice but to come up with a self-help measure.” Meanwhile, the MOF announced the ‘Gim Industry Competitiveness Enhancement Plan’ on October 31 last year. It includes a plan to support research on land-based laver farming. The MOF announced, “We plan to develop technology for cultivating laver on land starting next year (2025), distribute laver farming varieties that are resistant to high temperatures after field testing, and establish a stable production system in response to rapidly changing climate.” The MOF plans to invest KRW 35 billion in research and development (R&D) for five years starting in 2025 to develop land-based laver farming technology. This year’s budget is set at KRW 6 billion. Climate Change Response — Establishing a Stable Production System What are the advantages of on-land laver farming? First, unlike the natural environment humans cannot control, the most significant advantage is that the cultivation environment can be artificially created, such as water temperature, salinity, and nutrients. The second is that the water quality pollution problem is solved. There is no risk of marine pollution or red tide as in the ocean, so clean laver production is possible. Although there are differences depending on the region and KOREAN CHAPTER ARTICLE: Who will be the winner of the heated ‘Land-Based Gim (Laver) Farming War’? Jong Myon Park FIGURE 2. On-land laver aquaculture research institute. Photo courtesy of Pulmuone.
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